LISD officials considering change in high school schedules

Lubbock Independent School District officials are proposing changing high school schedules from a four-period, every-other-day schedule to a traditional eight-period school day.

Estacado High is already on an eight-period, every-day schedule - what is often called a "traditional" schedule - but Monterey, Lubbock and Coronado high schools use what are called "block" schedules.

Both types of schedules have eight periods, but they are presented in very different ways.

Traditional schedules have eight 50-minute classes every day.

Block scheduling has classes 90 to 100 minutes long and has an "A" block of four classes on Monday and Wednesday and a "B" block of four different classes on Tuesday and Thursday. The A and B blocks alternate every other Friday.

LISD officials are concerned block scheduling, which has been in place in the district since 1993, is not the best way to educate high school students.

Students, parents react

However, many students and parents who are accustomed to the every-other-day scheduling believe students learn better that way - and they feel strongly about it.

"The gifted and talented students are sacrificed. With an eight-period day, you can't go in-depth," said Terri Preston, mother of three Coronado students.

In a longer time period, teachers have the chance to present material in different ways and have hands-on learning, said Jennifer Hibdon, mother of a Lubbock High School freshman.

"Any time you change something that affects this many folks, it becomes emotional," said LISD Superintendent Karen Garza.

The proposal to change the scheduling began in 2010, with requests from the principals of Monterey, Lubbock High and Coronado, LISD officials said.

"We've known this was what we needed to happen for a long time," said Lubbock High Principal Doug Young.

The change was considered a year ago, but the decision was made to continue block scheduling for the current school year.

Reasons for the change

Now the issue is on the table again. Garza told the school board last week changing the schedule will not benefit the LISD financially.

"This is not a consideration in any way, shape or form to save us money," she said.

The compelling reasons for making a change are academic ones, according to LISD officials:

¦ The traditional schedule will add 25 minutes of class time per week, which adds up to 15 hours a year.

¦ Instruction every day gives students more continuity.

¦ Students who are absent from a class will have an easier time staying on track.

¦ An eight-period schedule provides struggling students with better opportunities for intervention.

¦ Students have more choices in their schedules because they will not need to double-block athletics or music classes.

How the systems work

Double-blocking means students have to schedule athletics or music courses on both days of a block schedule. That leaves them only six periods for other courses.

Taking athletics or music on a traditional schedule will leave them seven periods.

Monterey PTA President Tiffany Robinson said her daughter was in the band and on the golf team, both of which are double-blocked. That left her with only four periods for other course offerings.

"I am really in favor of a traditional schedule," Robinson said.

Regarding athletics, University Interscholastic League rules allow students to practice only 60 minutes in a school day, said Kelly Trlica, LISD chief academic officer.

Having a 90-minute class period for athletics means 30 minutes of the double-blocked class every day can't be used for practice, Trlica said.

Engaging student concentration is very different for a 50-minute period as opposed to a 90-minute one, Trlica said.

"A good teacher teaches well in 50 minutes or in 90 minutes. But they are teaching 25 kids, and all of them are learning in different ways," she said.

Concentration and engagement in a class tapers off as time passes, and it declines faster in some students than others, she said.

What educators say

Coronado Principal Lynn Akin said at least 90 percent of his teachers want the change to traditional schedule, and Young estimated 85-90 percent of Lubbock High teachers prefer it.

Cherie Jenkins, president of the Lubbock Educators Association, said the high school teachers she has talked to favor changing to an eight-period day.

Coronado teacher Russell Hill said, "Meeting with classes each day will provide enhanced ability to review key concepts learned, by reviewing what we learned yesterday rather than what we learned last week, which is difficult for anyone to do, especially teenagers."

A traditional schedule also would provide more time for reteaching concepts more difficult to grasp, would allow more flexibility in scheduling and would provide more class offerings, Hill said.

Lubbock High freshman Eva Haraldsdottir urged the LISD Board of Trustees to retain the block schedule and presented trustees with a petition signed by more than 1,000 students, some parents, alumni and concerned citizens.

"In most studies that I have read, there have been significant differences in favor of block schedule when comparing attendance rates, frequency of discipline problems and even the attitudes of students and teachers toward school," she said.

Trlica said administrators have briefed the trustees and want their support in changes, but she said the decision to change the scheduling does not require board approval.

More reaction from students, parents

Vani Thirumala, a freshman at Lubbock High, said the eight-period classes she had in middle school felt rushed.

"It felt like I was not getting enough in my head," she said. "I think that with more time, we have a different understanding of the topic, and it gives us time to interact with teachers and ask questions."

Tiffany Robinson sees it the other way and believes the shorter periods will be better for student learning.

"Children can only take in so much, and then they shut down," she said.

Robinson also said going to the same class every school day is better for the immersion of students into the subject matter.

"For the majority, (the traditional schedule) is a better idea. But my child is involved in AP (Advanced Placement) courses, and I fear the homework load will be too great in an eight-period day," said Vanessa Robison, whose daughter attends Monterey.

Trlica said homework on a traditional schedule should be half the amount given in classes in a four-period day.

Garza said principals understand they have a responsibility to try to coordinate homework loads and test loads on their campuses.

Karyn Lacy said her Monterey daughter carries a very heavy backpack as it is on days when she has four classes. Monterey doesn't have enough lockers, and she is concerned about the materials her daughter would have to load in the backpack for eight-period days.

Estacado's experience

Estacado Principal Sam Ayers said he changed to an eight-hour class day two years ago to improve academic performance. After the first year, Estacado juniors had double-digit gains in every core area tested on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills tests, he said.

"We saw major growth for our students in Social Studies and English scores. I attribute part of this success to the eight-period day - daily exposure, review and practice in core subjects," Ayers said.

Estacado senior Raymond Rios said he didn't think he would like the eight-period day because homework would be due the next day after each class.

"But going to class every day has been great. I practice every day. I remember better because we see the material more often," Rios said.

Estacado junior Kristen Alcorte said she ended up liking the change because it kept her on track with what she needs to learn and what she needs to do.

Estacado senior Jalen Moore added, "I think it has gotten me ready for college because it has made me keep a schedule to stay on top of homework, athletics, and sleep."

To comment on this story:

joe.gulick@lubbockonline.com • 766-8758

leesha.faulkner@lubbockonline.com • 766-8706

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